[Seph]

PolarHeat, on 02 March 2011 - 01:37 AM, said:

I've been reading through a few of these posts, and I would be honored to have a photographer's meet up at ACen this year. This will be my fourth year coming to ACen, and my second year as an 'official photographer,' if you could call it that. I am a photography major, and I'll be working with both digital and film photography at ACen this coming year. I am also doing a few closet cosplays. So, depending on what panels or gatherings are going on. I am always up for meeting more photographers. XD.

I have a flickr account that i don't really use.

flickr photography

Or there are more recent ones on my deviantart account.

deviantart

Hello there and welcome. Unfortunately, more than likely there will NOT be a photographers meet up.. if its anything like last year that is..

who are you shooing for?

and great images btw..

[fotaku07]

PolarHeat, on 02 March 2011 - 01:37 AM, said:

I've been reading through a few of these posts, and I would be honored to have a photographer's meet up at ACen this year. This will be my fourth year coming to ACen, and my second year as an 'official photographer,' if you could call it that. I am a photography major, and I'll be working with both digital and film photography at ACen this coming year. I am also doing a few closet cosplays. So, depending on what panels or gatherings are going on. I am always up for meeting more photographers. XD.

I have a flickr account that i don't really use.

flickr photography

Or there are more recent ones on my deviantart account.

deviantart

Haven't heard of a meet-up being planned yet, however I do think there should be one this year. There's definitely going to be other photographers that I'll want to meet this year, such as Ejen Chuang who made the Cosplay in America photobook. It'd be awesome if acksonl showed up but who knows which conventions he's hitting up this year.

Even if there isn't one if you'd like to hang out during the convention sometime let me know. It'd be great to get to know another photographer.

[A True Elsewhere]

Prayer Police, on 19 April 2010 - 09:07 PM, said:

Anyone bringing their instant picture Polaroid cameras?
Polaroids rock!
Why wait for film to be developed (or printed) when you can have them right away? Bam, there it is!

My friends brought a rented Polaroid from uni last year. It was so much fun, wandering around and taking photos of good cosplays. The cosplayers were very excited, and waited with us to see how the Polaroids turned out.

Remember: Never shake a Polaroid picture!

Also, I posted on another thread in a different forum, but I'm a new photo-girl and I'm interested in meeting up just to learn some stuff. I just got a Nikon D80 this year, and I'm excited to walk around the convention with it.

[Scott]

A True Elsewhere, on 15 March 2011 - 11:19 AM, said:

My friends brought a rented Polaroid from uni last year. It was so much fun, wandering around and taking photos of good cosplays. The cosplayers were very excited, and waited with us to see how the Polaroids turned out.

Remember: Never shake a Polaroid picture!

Also, I posted on another thread in a different forum, but I'm a new photo-girl and I'm interested in meeting up just to learn some stuff. I just got a Nikon D80 this year, and I'm excited to walk around the convention with it.

You are talking about one of those instant cameras? Why would they need to rent one? They don't look that expensive on Amazon.com.

I'm willing to give the meet-up another shot for 2011.

[A True Elsewhere]

Scott, on 15 March 2011 - 12:07 PM, said:

You are talking about one of those instant cameras? Why would they need to rent one? They don't look that expensive on Amazon.com.

I'm willing to give the meet-up another shot for 2011.

Well, it was an actual Polaroid, and it belongs to the uni art department to which the two belonged at the time. So they rented it with the excuse that they were turning the convention into an art project. I don't know how the project turned out in full, but it was awesome fun at-con.

And as to your question in that other thread, Scott, I've just got the basic "universal" lens, 18-55. I'm a complete beginner here, haha... But I am SO excited to take photos at Acen this year!

[Scott]

A True Elsewhere, on 15 March 2011 - 12:20 PM, said:

Well, it was an actual Polaroid, and it belongs to the uni art department to which the two belonged at the time. So they rented it with the excuse that they were turning the convention into an art project. I don't know how the project turned out in full, but it was awesome fun at-con.

And as to your question in that other thread, Scott, I've just got the basic "universal" lens, 18-55. I'm a complete beginner here, haha... But I am SO excited to take photos at Acen this year!

I see. Yeah, the 18-55mm is called a "kit lens" usually as it comes with the camera as a kit.

[A True Elsewhere]

@Scott - gottttttcha. Then: Yes.

[sftstray]

hi guys... its been awhile... acen's almost here... so is there gonna be a photographers meet up? im game...

[tfcreate]

sftstray, on 15 March 2011 - 10:33 PM, said:

hi guys... its been awhile... acen's almost here... so is there gonna be a photographers meet up? im game...

http://www.acen.org/...s-at-acen-2011/

[Scott]

sftstray, on 15 March 2011 - 10:33 PM, said:

hi guys... its been awhile... acen's almost here... so is there gonna be a photographers meet up? im game...

I remember you. How is the D700 now that you have had a good deal of time with it?

tfcreate, on 20 April 2011 - 10:12 PM, said:

http://www.acen.org/...s-at-acen-2011/

Thanks tfcreate.

[sftstray]

Scott, on 20 April 2011 - 11:48 PM, said:

I remember you. How is the D700 now that you have had a good deal of time with it?Thanks tfcreate.

Camera's great, i can see the difference now, been able to try out different types of lenses too... Still learning though, still have a long way to go, at least now I know what my mistakes were especially at last years acen, when I look at my pictures then, i sucked, i sucked a lot... hehe. been taking workshops here and there too. Overall, its great, very expensive hobby though, the equipment plus classes, printing, its just too much sometimes. At least now, i've been able to use the money I make from it to pay for some of the cost, helps a little bit... how about you? hows everything? getting ready for acen? are you doing any private shoots at acen? I want to do some, but the pressure makes me feel nervous, hehe.

This post has been edited by sftstray: 21 April 2011 - 04:36 PM

[Scott]

sftstray, on 21 April 2011 - 04:35 PM, said:

Camera's great, i can see the difference now, been able to try out different types of lenses too... Still learning though, still have a long way to go, at least now I know what my mistakes were especially at last years acen, when I look at my pictures then, i sucked, i sucked a lot... hehe. been taking workshops here and there too. Overall, its great, very expensive hobby though, the equipment plus classes, printing, its just too much sometimes. At least now, i've been able to use the money I make from it to pay for some of the cost, helps a little bit... how about you? hows everything? getting ready for acen? are you doing any private shoots at acen? I want to do some, but the pressure makes me feel nervous, hehe.

You are actually making some money with your images? awesome... That's always something I struggle at doing. Is it paid jobs like weddings or selling images as stock? I've never had an interest in doing weddings because there is a lot of expectation on events like that, but most other types of commercial photography I'd try out.

Me? I wrote an ebook recently called "convention photography," which was fun. I also update my photography blog with pictures and articles such as ones I did recently on macro photography and off-camera flash. I haven't been to a convention since c2e2 in March though (that was only a single day for me). So far two people have contacted me about doing a private shoot. I don't advertise it as I generally prefer to just walk around and find interesting people to photograph. Although, I think I'd like to get a few more private shoots because it is a good opportunity to try new ideas out and also having more time.

This post has been edited by Scott: 21 April 2011 - 07:59 PM

[sftstray]

Scott, on 21 April 2011 - 07:57 PM, said:

You are actually making some money with your images? awesome... That's always something I struggle at doing. Is it paid jobs like weddings or selling images as stock? I've never had an interest in doing weddings because there is a lot of expectation on events like that, but most other types of commercial photography I'd try out.

Me? I wrote an ebook recently called "convention photography," which was fun. I also update my photography blog with pictures and articles such as ones I did recently on macro photography and off-camera flash. I haven't been to a convention since c2e2 in March though (that was only a single day for me). So far two people have contacted me about doing a private shoot. I don't advertise it as I generally prefer to just walk around and find interesting people to photograph. Although, I think I'd like to get a few more private shoots because it is a good opportunity to try new ideas out and also having more time.

usually paid job, nothing special though, family portraits, kids, birthdays, parties, engagements and such, can't do weddings, too much pressure involved, hehe... With stock photography, i have no clue how that thing works...

cool, you actually wrote a book, that's awesome dude... I think writing is really hard, and a book? that's just over the top. I raise people who can do that, its just an amazing feat to accomplish... So, where can I find your book, you have more experience doing convention photography than I do, I can always use more knowledge...

This post has been edited by sftstray: 21 April 2011 - 11:06 PM

[Scott]

sftstray, on 21 April 2011 - 11:05 PM, said:

usually paid job, nothing special though, family portraits, kids, birthdays, parties, engagements and such, can't do weddings, too much pressure involved, hehe... With stock photography, i have no clue how that thing works...

Nice. You must have good networking skills. That's something I really need to work on.

As for stock photography, the easiest way to start is find one of those micro-stock sites and submit some images to it. I have around 200 photos on Shutterstock and have made around $500 over the years I've had them available on the site. I have not submitted pictures in a few years though because their approval process is a lot more picky about what they accept than when I started.

There are a multitude of sites out there like Shutterstock.
If you want to give this one a shot, here is my referral link:
http://submit.shutte...k.com/?ref=9278
So if you get accepted and submit content, I'll get a kickback whenever something of yours sells (eg. you would get $0.25 as normal and I'd get an additional $0.03).

sftstray, on 21 April 2011 - 11:05 PM, said:

cool, you actually wrote a book, that's awesome dude... I think writing is really hard, and a book? that's just over the top. I raise people who can do that, its just an amazing feat to accomplish... So, where can I find your book, you have more experience doing convention photography than I do, I can always use more knowledge...

It's just an ebook. Anyone can do it. It is around 16,500 words and has 50-something pictures. I have it on Amazon and the Nook markets. Both systems allow the book to be read on a number of devices like PCs and phones besides the standard readers. My friend suggested I should change the cover to make it less busy looking, I might do that someday.

[keiichi969]

I'll be there as well, possibly running 2 cameras this year,.

My primary is my T1i with the EFS 18-55mm and EFS 55-250mm lenses.

I'm considering bring my OM2 with a 50mm, 28mm or 35-105m lens.


Anyone else going oldschool here and bringing a film camera?






Also that I finally got contacts so the bane of my photography is gone! I can now see through the viewfinder properly!

This post has been edited by keiichi969: 22 April 2011 - 01:45 PM

[sftstray]

Scott, on 22 April 2011 - 10:14 AM, said:

It's just an ebook. Anyone can do it. It is around 16,500 words and has 50-something pictures. I have it on Amazon and the Nook markets. Both systems allow the book to be read on a number of devices like PCs and phones besides the standard readers. My friend suggested I should change the cover to make it less busy looking, I might do that someday.

cool... I'll check it out... and thanks for that stock photo link, I've heared about it but just haven't really given it any thought...

[MisakiMise]

Do any of you guys use flashes when you're doing photoshoots?
If so, is it worth getting one?

[tfcreate]

MisakiMise, on 23 April 2011 - 02:32 PM, said:

Do any of you guys use flashes when you're doing photoshoots?
If so, is it worth getting one?

Scott, on 23 April 2011 - 09:19 PM, said:

Flash brackets (frames?) are helpful if you can get over the "photo nerd" factor.

Before the arguments/bashing/bragging about gear starts, I almost always shoot with a flash. They add even more control over your photos, not just "durr they add moer lite."
Is it worth getting one? Definitely!
Is it worth getting a cheap one? No. Better to go with no flash than one that can ruin your shot. Especially if you don't use manual settings.
Something to consider, though. Using a hot shoe flash on the camera will gain you little to nothing.
Invest in a good flash, flash frame and of course learn the subtly of manual settings. It will take your photos from ok/mediocre to awesome in no time.

And if you're worried about how you look while you're taking photos, then you may want to reconsider photography. Posers worry about the look, shooters worry about the shot.

This post has been edited by tfcreate: 27 April 2011 - 07:37 PM

[sftstray]

MisakiMise, on 23 April 2011 - 02:32 PM, said:

Do any of you guys use flashes when you're doing photoshoots?If so, is it worth getting one?

yes, you can control/sculp the light on your image as much as you want... I only use my flash if I have time though, such as photoshoots... but on a convention where everything's happening very quickly, I don't, except if I need a fill light...

tfcreate, on 23 April 2011 - 07:42 PM, said:

Before the arguments/bashing/bragging about gear starts, I almost always shoot with a flash. They add even more control over your photos, not just "durr they add moer lite."Is it worth getting one? Definitely! Is it worth getting a cheap one? No. Better to go with no flash than one that can ruin your shot. Especially if you don't use manual settings.Something to consider, though. Using a hot shoe flash on the camera will gain you little to nothing. Invest in a good flash, flash frame and of course learn the subtly of manual settings. It will take your photos from ok/mediocre to awesome in no time.

I hate using the TTL mode on my flash... when I learned how to use the manual settings, everything changed for the better... does the frame really help? i always feel its not high enough so I just end up bouncing it somewhere, or if the ceiling is too high, I use the gary fong diffuser... any recommendation for a good flash frame?

This post has been edited by sftstray: 23 April 2011 - 08:38 PM

[keiichi969]

A good flash is indispensable in many situations. Add a small soft-box and it opens up new opportunities for lighting..

Learning to use indirect illumination is also a very handy skill.

Acen is pretty well lit more of the time, so mainly I'm using a flash to soften shadows, or change where they're coming from.

Starting out, a flash on the shoe is still better than the camera's built in flash(if for nothing but conserving battery life). And even on the shoe, if you have a directional flash you can try bouncing it off the walls and ceiling.


But yes, a flash frame is the way to go. Even with a good flash on the shoe, it has limitations.



Also most don't play nice with autofocus. Cannon internal flash, for example, fires its flash when ranging for autofocus, before the main flash. A shoe flash won't do this with most aftermarket units.

This post has been edited by keiichi969: 23 April 2011 - 09:00 PM

[tfcreate]

sftstray, on 23 April 2011 - 08:34 PM, said:

does the frame really help? i always feel its not high enough so I just end up bouncing it somewhere, or if the ceiling is too high, (*gearbrag*. any recommendation for a good flash frame?

They do help... it's a variation of going off camera with the flash, so they can add just enough shadow to give extra depth to the photo without harsh contrast, as well as the eye-catch of the flash's reflection. (I know that there are the "hurr I kin dew that in shoop" types out there. More power to you if you want to show your skilz in shoop, but I prefer to do it in the camera.) http://fav.me/d31s8n8


I don't recommend a particular brand of frame since how well it works depends on your creativity, your camera and how flexible the frame can be. I've seen some very good ones from Alzo, Manfroro and Opteka. They can be a bit heavy, but they're extremely versatile and can accept a number of mounts and heads, reflector diffusers or umbrella. There are a lot of options.

This post has been edited by tfcreate: 23 April 2011 - 08:59 PM

[Scott]

Flash brackets (frames?) are helpful if you can get over the "photo nerd" factor.

I have two made by "custom brackets" http://www.custombrackets.com/

They are solid and well built.

Besides just getting something that can throw a lot more light out compared to on-board flash, there are a few features that can help you in certain situations.

Features of note (I need to put in a revision to my ebook to include info on HHS that I missed ):
1. Second curtain sync: One situation would be at night time where you want the background to be well-lit and in the same level of exposure compared to your subject in the foreground. This mode allows you to shoot your burst of light at the end of the imaging cycle allowing you to use a long exposure time. The long exposure time means your camera will have time to expose the background before using the flash's light to expose the foreground (subject). Most add-on flash units have this these days.

2. High Speed Sync (HHS): Allows you to get past the physical/technical limitations of the system you are using. Most systems have a hard limit of 1/160th to 1/250th shutter speed where the flash can normally be used. This is due to how the shutter mechanism works (basically the imaging sensor needs to be fully exposed when the flash burst happens). HHS allows the flash to get around the hard limit by sending out quick pulses of light, so the camera can use faster shutter speeds. A situation where you might find this useful is in extremes of lighting. Say you are near a building, but it is noon and the sun is shining in the background, but you want to also have a nice blurred background (eg. a large aperture). You can use HHS so you can increase your shutter speed and in turn increase your aperture size. That way you will get your foreground and background in the same exposure, but still have nice blurred backgrounds thanks to a large aperture. HSS is usually only on powerful and expensive flash units.

3. tilting/swiveling flash head. Allows you options to direct light in different directions. Cheaper units will only tilt. A swiveling unit will allow you to get away without using a flash bracket sometimes.

[Scott]

tfcreate, on 23 April 2011 - 08:58 PM, said:

http://fav.me/d31s8n8

Nice image.

[MisakiMise]

Thankyou all for your extensive responses. I probably can't afford a flash or a flash frame.
I'm just an amateur photographer, anyways. I do know how to use the manual settings though.
I was going to use my DSLR just for a few shoots with my friends.
There is no better way to get better than to practice, right?

[keiichi969]

Flash/frame units aren't terribly expensive if you don't mind getting non-brand accessories.

I'm happy with my Bower SFD290 Flash, and my Opteka flash bracket with sync cable. The whole kit together was probably about $100.

Is it the highest quality stuff? No. But its working well for now.

[fotaku07]

Scott, on 23 April 2011 - 09:19 PM, said:

I have two made by "custom brackets" http://www.custombrackets.com/

Custom Brackets are the best out there! I've owned two. For their price you can't beat them and they're really well built.

MisakiMise, on 23 April 2011 - 11:56 PM, said:

Thankyou all for your extensive responses. I probably can't afford a flash or a flash frame.
I'm just an amateur photographer, anyways. I do know how to use the manual settings though.
I was going to use my DSLR just for a few shoots with my friends.
There is no better way to get better than to practice, right?

If you can't afford a flash you might want to consider getting a disk reflector. You definitely get them for under $75. This is great for adding fill light especially outside on sunny days. The 22" would be good for head and shoulders while the larger ones would be better for full length.

Matter of fact I've accumulated too many of them so if you want a 32" disk reflector (transparent white disk with 4 color cover/ silver, black, zigzag, gold) I'll part with it for $25 at acen. If you don't want it then I'll make the offer valid to anyone. Just send me a PM.

[StarRockerX]

Hello Everyone!!
It's been awhile!!

Sorry i haven't kept up with the thread.
I had alot of things on my plate.

To make a long story short i can't afford to go to school for photography anymore
And i've been looking for a job which hasn't gone well.

I'm still a photographer though!! AND I found out i could go to ACEN again this year.

I myself am not making a gathering for photographers

But i hope to see or for you guys to see one another!!

Keep your camera hand strong and good luck to all this year at ACEN!!

[Scott]

tfcreate, on 23 April 2011 - 07:42 PM, said:

And if you're worried about how you look while you're taking photos, then you may want to reconsider photography. Posers worry about the look, shooters worry about the shot.

Wasn't my quote done after this post? Noticed it after the thread had a new post as I was finding my last unread message. I known we have had some pseudo arguments in the past, so I'll chalk it up to that.

Flash and brackets do not make a photographer, having a camera and a desire to capture images does. They can help depending on what your goals are, but they are certainly not a requirement. Yes, people who might feel embarrassed about anything in life should consider if said activities are worth continuing if they go against their personality (actually it's good to push your comfort zone). However, there are a multitude of different factors to consider, one such factor being the imposing nature of big equipment. Walking up to someone with 7 pounds of camera equipment or 1 pound will get a different response from the subject. Photography is very personal and up to interpretation of what should be done and what is good. If a person currently feels a type of equipment is too much, they it's their choice to use or not use it. Not using a certain piece of equipment if they feel it is too much for their style (excluding a camera, haha) doesn't make them any less of a photographer.

[fotaku07]

StarRockerX, on 11 May 2011 - 12:34 PM, said:

To make a long story short i can't afford to go to school for photography anymore
And i've been looking for a job which hasn't gone well.

That's quite a bummer. If given the chance would you go back to school and finish your photography degree?

Hope you're able to find a job sometime in the near future!

[levelsixtyseven]

StarRockerX, on 11 May 2011 - 12:34 PM, said:

Hello Everyone!!
It's been awhile!!

Sorry i haven't kept up with the thread.
I had alot of things on my plate.

To make a long story short i can't afford to go to school for photography anymore
And i've been looking for a job which hasn't gone well.

I'm still a photographer though!! AND I found out i could go to ACEN again this year.

I myself am not making a gathering for photographers

But i hope to see or for you guys to see one another!!

Keep your camera hand strong and good luck to all this year at ACEN!!

Oh no! Art school is expensive. Photography degree or not I hope you still pursue photography.